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As we age, the consequences of our indestructible youth are revealed on our bodies in various ways. One of the most common and worrying is the growth and change in the texture of freckles and small moles on our sun-exposed skin. The good news is pre-cancerous lesions and early-stage skin cancer is highly curable.
With annual cancer screenings, the medical team at Ocean Drive® Dermatology in Vero Beach, Florida, can diagnose and treat these lesions early with photodynamic therapy.
"Blue Light" photodynamic therapy, or PDT, is a non-invasive outpatient procedure to remove premalignant or precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses or solar keratoses) on the body. These lesions typically appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin and tend to be rough in texture, almost like sandpaper. The good news is that these precancerous lesions can be treated early with PDT, so they do not turn into skin cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma.
There are many benefits to treatment with photodynamic therapy Vero Beach patients can look forward to at Ocean Drive Dermatology in Vero Beach, Florida. PTD can work as well as surgery and some types of radiation in treating pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions. PDT is less invasive than surgery and can be done by medical professionals as an outpatient procedure at less cost than other procedures. If necessary, PDT can be done multiple times on the same site of the body, unlike radiation. PDT targets the cells precisely, resulting in less scarring than other treatment options. Finally, there are little to no long-term effects.
The national standard for a dermatology visit is nine minutes. Ocean Drive Dermatology in Vero Beach, Florida, doesn’t believe in a conveyor belt consultation method.
All appointments are scheduled for a minimum of 30 minutes, and their personable staff, from the receptionists to the medical professionals, will know who you are and give your concerns the attention they deserve.
Because Ocean Drive Dermatology is partnered with plastic surgeons, no matter the diagnosis or recommended course of treatment, Ocean Drive Dermatology can meet your needs on-site and in real-time.
After arriving at the Ocean Drive Dermatology office, your face will be cleaned to remove any oil and makeup.
Next, a photosensitizing medication is applied to the affected area and left to absorb for a couple of hours. After the drug-to-light interval, a “blue light” is applied to the site to activate the treatment. Light application lasts approximately 16 minutes. Some Vero Beach photodynamic therapy patients report a burning sensation in the first couple minutes, with the remainder of the treatment feeling warm.
Data shows that PDT can kill precancerous cells and even help prevent skin cancer.
However, PDT is not a cure-all. It is still possible to develop new precancerous lesions, sometimes in the same area that was treated. Regular check-ups and returning for treatment when new rough spots appear are recommended.
Your skin will be extremely sensitive to sunlight for 48 hours after treatment. The best practice is to AVOID sunlight for 48 hours. If you must be outside, you must wear sunscreen and a wide-brim hat after treatment. If you are in direct sunlight without a hat (even if you are wearing sunscreen), the heat and light may reactivate the chemical, and the healing process will take much longer.
When you leave the office, a prescription medication to help calm the redness of the affected site will be provided to you. Most patients notice their skin is back to normal within seven days, although some patients take longer to heal. A 12-week follow-up appointment will be scheduled to assess the results and retreat the area, if necessary. As always, continuing sun precautions are a must. Wide-brimmed hats, sunscreens, and sun-protective clothing all help prevent future rough spots.
PDT costs less than other cancer treatments. All insurance is different, but Ocean Drive Dermatology will work with your insurance and keep you informed of treatment costs.
Side effects will vary from person to person. During your consultation, the medical provider will review possible side effects and treatments.
There’s med spas, and then there’s Ocean Drive Med Spa. Led by Dr. Alan Durkin, Ocean Drive Med Spa is well known among industry professionals as a center for innovation.
Pioneering new technologies and treatments, Ocean Drive Med Spa constantly researches new technologies to ensure the best results for its patients. Ocean Drive Med Spa also features one of the largest laser and energy centers in the nation, offering patients treatments with the latest state-of-the-art tools to create incredible aesthetic experiences. Begin yours today with an appointment at Ocean Drive Med Spa.
